When to Plant Che Fruit in Lyman County, SD
May in Lyman County, South Dakota — your action list
A quick May briefing for Lyman County, South Dakota gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.
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Get che fruit in the ground
Your last frost (May 7) has passed. These warm-season crops can handle outdoor soil now.
Che fruit (Chinese mulberry) is a small, cold-hardy tree producing round, red fruits with a sweet, watermelon-fig flavor. It is an underutilized fruit tree with great potential.
Lyman County, South Dakota is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 7 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 152 days.
At an elevation of 1,055 feet, Lyman County receives approximately 29.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 82°F, so choose short-season varieties of Che Fruit to ensure they mature before fall.
Lyman County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.7-7.6
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.
Soil Compatibility in Lyman County
How your county's soil matches Che Fruit's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.7–7.6) overlaps with Che Fruit's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Lyman County is excellent for Che Fruit — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.6%). Annual compost additions will help Che Fruit.
How to Plant Che Fruit
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Monthly Watering Guide for Che Fruit
Che Fruit needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Che Fruit Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 4.3" | 4.1" | 0.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 4.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 4.3" | 3.5" | 0.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 3.6" | 0.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 2.8" | 1.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 1.8" | 2.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | — | 1.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 0.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Lyman County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Che Fruit Heat Requirements (GDD)
What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?
Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.
Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.
Che Fruit Planting Timeline — Lyman County, SD
Che Fruit Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Transplant Outdoors | May 28 | May 28 – Jun 11 |
· 120" apart · Rows 144" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | — |
| May | Transplant Outdoors |
| June | Transplant Outdoors |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · Only during dry spells
📅 Days to Maturity
1095–1825 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 5a
📆 Growing Season
152 days in Lyman County
Growing Tips for Che Fruit in Lyman County
Direct sow Che Fruit outdoors after May 07 in Lyman County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your 152.0-day growing season in Lyman County is tight for Che Fruit (1095.0-1825.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.
General growing tips
Plant in well-drained soil. A male pollinator is needed for seeded fruit, but seedless fruit can set parthenocarpically. Minimal pruning required. Fruits ripen in late summer.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Che Fruit in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Che Fruit in Lyman County, SD?
Lyman County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 7. Plan your Che Fruit planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Lyman County, SD?
Lyman County, South Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 7 and first fall frost is October 6.
Your Lyman County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Lyman County (Zone 5a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.